I do not own Bates Motel.
But, in some ways, I do own a Dylan. And I love him so much.
Yeah, Whatever
Thinking Like a Decody
Week thirty-six.
The last two weeks had crawled by.
Emma's blood pressure slowly climbing higher and higher as doctors strove to give Katie all the time they could.
While keeping Mom and baby both safe and unharmed.
And now the magnesium sulfate drip had run its course.
Buying them forty-eight more precious hours for little Katie's tiny lungs to develop just a little more.
Get a little stronger, a little more ready to breathe on her own.
Be unleashed on the world.
Just like her mother.
Her mother, who had stayed so calm and positive throughout.
Kept frequent company by the men who loved her.
Her father.
Her husband.
Both waiting and watching vigilantly over their miracle girl.
And now, finally . . .
They're going to induce me today. Ready to meet our daughter?
On my way! I love you.
I love you.
. . . it was time.
"Vic, hey, they're getting ready to induce Emma. I gotta go. Everything's in order in my office."
The man who had once been uncertain during the interview regarding Dylan's job qualifications, now favored his subordinate with a warm smile.
"We've got you covered, Dylan! Go!"
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
As he exited the office, a few observant people, having picked up the subtle cues of a father in waiting, started the applause as he passed.
Whispering the information along.
Clapping him on the back. Offering well-wishes.
And properly sending him on his way.
He hadn't been there for Emma's lung transplant.
Well, he had.
Showing up late, mid procedure.
Not getting to tell her he loved her, that she was amazing, that she would be fine, that she had to be fine.
Having to wait, for hours and hours and hours until the nine hour procedure was done.
Then wait until she came out of anethesia, regained consciousness, was checked and rechecked.
Not that he minded waiting, he would wait as long as he needed to just to see her, just to know she was okay, alive, safe.
Breathing.
I love you, Emma. I love you, I love you. Please be okay.
And finally allowed . . .
"No more than five minutes, sir. And stay quiet and calm, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks."
. . . visitors.
He had waited so long to be near her again, see her face, see she was okay, let her know he was there and that he cared . . .
"You look awesome."
I love you.
. . . he was not missing this.
He was not going to be late for the birth of his child.
Although . . .
Change, dammit, change.
. . . every single stoplight in Seattle seemed to be working against him.
And . . .
Oh come on-
. . . the other drivers . . .
God, I wish I had the Force.
. . . were even worse.
But eventually . . .
Oh my god, this elevator is so slow.
. . . he got there.
"Dylan!"
Emma's entire face radiated relief and joy as Dylan rushed to her side.
"I'm not late, am I?"
It was a stupid blurt he could not stop.
She grinned, beautiful and slightly amused.
Taking Dylan's hand to rub her round gowned belly.
"Nope, still pregnant."
He felt infinitely foolish, but could not help himself.
"Ready to become a father, Dylan?"
He had barely registered Will a few moments earlier so eager to get to Emma's side.
Dylan turned then and grinned a little.
"Better be, huh?"
Will cocked his head, amused. And chortled.
"Yeah, you'd better be."
Walking over to his daughter, Will Decody planted a gentle kiss on the top of her head.
"It's the best job in the whole world, the only one that truly matters."
And he took his daughter's hand in a most uncreepy, unBates type way.
"How are you, baby girl? You ready?"
She pressed her lips together and blinked rapidly before answering.
"Yep, I'm ready."
Then she swallowed.
"Dad, could you give us a minute? I need to talk to Dylan before everything gets started."
Will Decody nodded, a father himself, instantly ready to provide for his daughter whatever she needed.
"Sure. I'll be outside, questioning the nurses about the quality of the Earl Grey tea in this facility."
Giving a warm nod to Dylan, the soon-to-be grandfatherquietly exited the room.
The instant her father left the room, Emma's strong, brave visage crumpled.
"Dylan," she whispered. "I'm so scared."
Dylan's heart instantly broke and he reached for her even as she reached for him.
Murmuring . . .
"No, no, no, it's okay, it's okay, it's going to be okay . . ."
. . . anything, anything to make her unhappiness better.
Her face was buried in his chest, his hands smoothing down her auburn hair.
The hospital smells were overwhelming his nasal passages, making them burn.
The beepings of the machines were too piercing, the florescent lights too bright.
But felt so good to get to hold her.
He hadn't been sleeping well the past week, couldn't sleep well without her there next him in the bed.
His hands searched for her at night before his brain remembered she was sleeping miles away in a hospital bed.
He was restless and lonely without his Emma.
Even though he knew it was for a good reason.
Keeping her and their baby safe.
But now she was back in his arms.
And afraid.
"I've worked so hard to get to this point, to make sure she's okay and now we're doing this and I'm scared it's going to go wrong and something bad will happen."
Is she having a premonition? Can she feel something?
Does she know?
But none of that was helpful to his wife who needed him.
None of that was Decody thinking.
So Dylan shoved it aside.
And spoke like a Decody.
"It's okay. Everything's going to be okay. They know what they're doing and I'll be right here with you. You're not alone, okay? I'm not leaving. I love you."
She clung to him, much like she had at the cabin that day he had gone to convince her to get the lung transplant.
And ended up kissing her.
"Besides," he said, trying to make her smile. "You can do this, Emma. You can do anything. You're a frickin warrior."
She grinned then, face once again streaked with tears.
"Are you going to kiss me again?"
He smiled back, relieved.
"Yeah, if you don't mind."
Her grin widened, fingers kneeding the coat he still wore.
"I don't mind."
So he did.
He kissed her.
Not the desperate, aching, wild kiss of desire fulfilled.
Which was amazing in its own right.
But sweet and loving.
Full of warmth and encouragement and support.
Loving her. Trying to be just what she needed.
Hope you've enjoying reading! :)
Next chapter, ready to have a baby?